Sleep Apnea, Sleep Apnea Treatment, Sleep Health, Sleep Tips, Studies & News Night sweats are episodes of sweating that soak your clothes or bedding while you sleep, and they’re usually triggered by your sleep environment, stress, hormones, medications, or an underlying medical issue.[1] A warm room, heavy blankets, and breathable issues with sleepwear can do it—but if you’re waking up drenched regularly, it’s worth taking a closer look.[2] If night sweats keep happening or come with red flags (fever, unexplained weight loss, or new symptoms), talk to your clinician.[2] A quick history (meds, alcohol, stress, hormones) plus a focused exam and basic labs often helps narrow down what’s going on.[2] What Are Night Sweats? Night sweats are repeated episodes of heavy sweating during sleep that aren’t explained only by a hot room or too many layers.[1] They can wake you up feeling overheated, uncomfortable, and sometimes chilled afterward as sweat evaporates. Both men and women can get night sweats, and the cause can range from simple habits to medical conditions.[1] The key difference is intensity and pattern: occasional mild sweating is common, but frequent, drenching episodes deserve a review of triggers and symptoms.[2] Common Signs and Symptoms to Pay Attention To Night sweats can look different depending on the cause, but a few patterns show up often. Common examples include: Chills or shaking along with fever. Unexplained weight loss (especially when paired with fever or fatigue).[2] Hot flashes or cycle changes related to hormonal shifts. Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and fatigue.[1] Fatigue, cough, or fever that may point to an infection.[2] What Causes Night Sweats? Most night sweats come from one of four buckets: your environment, your nervous system (stress/anxiety), hormones, or medication/medical causes.[1] Start with what’s easiest to check, room temperature, bedding, sleepwear, alcohol/caffeine timing, and new meds, then move toward medical causes if the pattern continues.[2] Common Non-Medical Causes Alcohol close to bedtime Alcohol can contribute to night sweats by interfering with sleep and changing how your body regulates temperature overnight.[1] If night sweats are a pattern, try cutting alcohol for a week or moving it earlier in the evening to see if episodes improve. High stress or anxiety Stress can trigger sweating at night by keeping your nervous system “on,” even when you’re trying to sleep.[2] If you also notice racing thoughts, shallow breathing, or frequent awakenings, stress may be a major driver. Your sleep environment A warm room, heavy bedding, and non-breathable sleepwear can trap heat and raise the chances of sweating.[1] This is one of the easiest causes to test by adjusting temperature, layers, and fabric choices for a few nights. Medications and supplements Some medications can cause sweating as a side effect, including certain antidepressants and hormone-related therapies.[1] If your night sweats started after a new prescription or dose change, flag it to your clinician rather than stopping medication on your own. Sweating disorders Hyperhidrosis is a condition linked to excessive sweating that can happen during the day and at night.[1] It’s not the most common explanation for new night sweats, but it can be part of the picture when sweating is frequent and hard to predict. Spicy foods near bedtime Spicy foods can make you feel warmer and may trigger sweating in some people, especially when eaten close to sleep. If you suspect this is a trigger, keep dinner milder for a few nights and compare. Medical Conditions Linked to Night Sweats When night sweats are frequent, drenching, or paired with other symptoms, medical causes become more important to rule out.[2] Common categories include hormonal shifts, infections, endocrine conditions, and (less commonly) malignancy.[1] Hormone-related changes Hormonal shifts can disrupt temperature regulation and trigger hot flashes and night sweats.[1] This can happen with perimenopause/menopause and other endocrine changes, and it often shows up as episodes of sudden heat followed by sweating. Menopause Menopause-related vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) are a common reason for disrupted sleep in midlife.[1] If night sweats show up with daytime hot flashes, sleep fragmentation, or mood changes, hormonal timing may be part of the cause. Infections Some infections can cause night sweats, especially when sweating comes with fever, fatigue, or a persistent cough.[2] This is one of the scenarios where timing and extra symptoms matter, don’t ignore a pattern that’s getting worse. Cancer Night sweats can appear with certain cancers, but they usually don’t show up alone.[2] Clinicians typically look for a broader pattern such as unexplained weight loss, fever, swollen lymph nodes, or persistent fatigue.[2] Hyperthyroidism An overactive thyroid can raise your baseline metabolism and contribute to heat intolerance and sweating.[1] If night sweats come with weight loss, tremor, or a racing heartbeat, bring that up during evaluation. Other conditions Night sweats can also show up alongside conditions like GERD, neurological disorders, and blood sugar issues.[1] If you can’t connect your episodes to environment, food, alcohol, stress, or meds, a clinician can help narrow down what to test next.[2] How to Stop Night Sweats To reduce night sweats, start by removing common triggers (heat, alcohol, caffeine timing, and heavy bedding), then address stress, medications, and medical causes if symptoms continue.[2] These steps are practical, low-risk, and make it easier to notice patterns. Sleep in a Cooler Bedroom A cooler, drier sleep environment lowers the chance of heat buildup that can trigger sweating.[1] Try lowering the thermostat, switching to lighter blankets, and using breathable fabrics. If episodes drop after a few nights, environment was likely a major factor. Also, consider upgrading sleep basics that trap less heat. If you are looking for sleep masks, you can check: Sleep masks. Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Spicy Foods Before Bed Alcohol and certain foods can worsen sleep quality and make overheating more likely.[1] If night sweats are frequent, test a simple window: keep alcohol and spicy meals earlier in the day for one week and track changes. Use Relaxation Techniques If stress is a trigger, calming your nervous system before bed can reduce awakenings and sweating.[2] Options like deep breathing, meditation, and light stretching are easy to test and don’t require equipment. Examples: deep breathing, meditation, light yoga. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT can help when anxiety or chronic stress is keeping your body in a heightened state at night.[2] A clinician or therapist can help identify patterns (rumination, insomnia behaviors) and build tools that reduce nighttime arousal over time. Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight Weight and overall metabolic health can influence temperature regulation and sleep quality.[2] If weight changes are part of your story (gain or unexplained loss), it’s another useful detail for your clinician during evaluation. Visit a Doctor if Night Sweats Are Persistent If night sweats are drenching, frequent, or paired with symptoms like fever or weight loss, it’s time for a medical evaluation.[2] Your clinician may review medications, run basic labs, and decide if additional testing is needed based on your history and exam.[2] Does Sleep Apnea Cause Night Sweats? Sleep apnea can be associated with night sweats, and research has looked at sweating as a symptom in people evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea.[3] Sleep apnea disrupts breathing during sleep, which can trigger repeated arousals and stress responses that make sweating more likely in some people. In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the airway narrows or collapses during sleep. Untreated OSA is linked with health risks, so if snoring, choking awakenings, or daytime sleepiness show up alongside night sweats, ask your clinician if sleep testing makes sense. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include: Breathing pauses noticed by a bed partner Morning headaches Daytime sleepiness Snoring Trouble concentrating Fatigue and irritability If you’re exploring treatment options, CPAP therapy is a standard approach for OSA and is prescribed after a sleep evaluation. You can browse CPAP education here: Sleeplay Blog. Learn more about Sleeplay here: Sleeplay. Download our app for iPhone and Android References Mayo Clinic. Night sweats: Symptoms & causes. Accessed 2026-02-18. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/night-sweats/basics/causes/sym-20050768 Mold JW, Holtzclaw BJ, McCarthy L. Persistent Night Sweats: Diagnostic Evaluation. American Family Physician. 2020;102(7):427-434. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/1001/p427.html Arnardottir ES, Janson C, Bjornsdottir E, et al. Nocturnal sweating--a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea: the Icelandic sleep apnoea cohort. BMJ Open. 2013;3(5):e002795. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002795. Record page: https://iris.landsbokasafn.is/en/publications/nocturnal-sweating-a-common-symptom-of-obstructive-sleep-apnoea-t/ Get useful articles straight to your inbox Share
